Pittsburgh Catering

Common Plea Catering provides full service catering in Pittsburgh and surrounding neighborhoods. We have been a part of the Pittsburgh catering scene for over 30 years and are recognized as a premier Pittsburgh caterer. Common Plea Catering is the exclusive caterer in three Pittsburgh venues – The Senator John Heinz History Center, Heinz Hall, and The Studio on Fifth – and provides catering services in various venues throughout the city.

History of Common Plea Catering

The Common Plea Restaurant opened in 1970 in downtown Pittsburgh. It was a neighborhood breakfast/lunch operation. The Barsottis showed a passion for the hospitality business early on, and The Common Plea became the benchmark for fine dining in Pittsburgh. They had a unique dinner program with multiple courses. Recognitions and awards followed; national publications began writing about the food jewel with the ugly green front. Along with Donna’s parents, the restaurant soon became one of the legends of the Pittsburgh restaurant scene.

In the early 80’s, the extensive corporate clientele began requesting Pittsburgh catering service from the restaurant. The Barsottis responded with a catering style of food and design unlike anything else in Pittsburgh. Donna garnered favor with the Jewish community and soon Common Plea became the premier kosher caterer. Continued demand for Pittsburgh catering services forced the company to look elsewhere for production and led to a contract to operate Green Oaks Country Club. The additional kitchen enabled the catering operations to expand. During this period the restaurant remained a dominant force in the Pittsburgh dining scene, but the catering side was becoming a larger growth engine for the company. The decision was made to build a separate commissary to meet the demand for catered events.

Pittsburgh Catering and Event Planning

Common Plea Catering works with Pittsburgh venues and creative partners to provide an excellent menu, location, and theme for your event. When choosing the venue, consider the amenities each location offers. Heinz Hall has a grand setting that offers richness and elegance. It is located in the Pittsburgh Cultural District which is within walking distance to hotels, art galleries, and restaurants. Another fabulous Pittsburgh venue is The Senator John Heinz History Center. The venue offers museum exhibits as well as the opportunity to have your guests partake in a scavenger hunt. It is conveniently located in the Strip District area of Pittsburgh which is in walking distance to hotels, restaurants, and several blocks of local shopping. The Studio on Fifth is located in Oakland and provides a venue with an open room allowing you to design the space to fit any style or decor that you desire. Since the venue is part of the WQED studio, there are plenty of lighting options available to transform the room. Common Plea Catering is the exclusive Pittsburgh caterer for all three venues.

Choosing the menu for your catered event is always fun. Keep in mind the season of the year that your event will happen. Caterers always like to choose food that will compliment the season. This will ensure freshness and sustainability of your food selections. Our catering kitchen strives to use locally sourced products.

The decor will set the theme of the event. Select a color theme and incorporate that with your linen choices and centerpieces. Always select flowers that are in season to get the freshest and most cost effective product.

The best part of working with Common Plea Catering is our superb team. You can rest assured on the day of your event that our on-site event planner and chefs will provide you with a stress free and flawless event. The staff at Common Plea Catering goes to great lengths to continue their education throughout the year. All staff is up-to-date on all certifications for safety and sanitation. Management travels to various conferences and tradeshows (Catersource/Event Solutions, Art of Catering Food, etc.) and attends classes to stay current on the ever-changing trends and menus within the catering/special events industry. At these conferences, Common Plea Catering participates in various competitions, including Buffet Design, Boxed Lunch Concepts, and Table Top Design. Throughout the years, Common Plea Catering has been recognized at the local, national, and international level. We strive to bring the best ideas, talent, and cuisine to every event, and we are proud to live and work in Pittsburgh.